The 2008 Brownlow Medallist has hit form near the end of the season. Cooney is a great player and really need him to stand up for the Dogs to perform an upset. You would expect Clinton Jones to play on Cooney and minimize his possessions but more importantly the effectivness of them. Cooney has averaged 26.9 possessions a game in 09′, 3.6 marks, 2.5 tackles and has kicked 14 goals. Cooney has played 10 games against the Saints and has averaged 20.3 possessions a game. Just below his career average of 21.0. He is up on his average of marks but down on tackles. Last Time V St.Kilda Cooney collected 23 possessions and scored just 61 SC points. Cooney with Cross, Boyd and Hudson will be able to try and get the ball moving forward. Higgins, Griffen and Hargrave can all relieve them in the midfield and Hudson will play a big part in the clearences. Cooney is the Dogs go to man.

LEIGH MONTAGNA V Matthew Boyd

Montagna has been the big improver this year. One of the favourites for the Brownlow, Montagna has had a fantastic year and deserves a lot of credit for it. But Montagna plays a huge part in making sure that his Saints get over the line. This year Montagna has been ranked;

4th in Inside 50’s

3rd in Kicks

2nd in Dream Team Scores

3rd in SuperCoach Scores

5th in Tackles

As you see Montagna holds the key to St.Kilda’s first premiership since 1966. Montagna rose about 100,000 in SC this year and his stats have improved rapidly since last year. If Montagna gets on top of his opponent early things could get ugly.

WHO WILL WIN:

Well Last Time these teams met, St.Kilda dominated. More possessions, More everything and most importantly more goals. The Dogs got smashed by 45 points and I’m sure they learned from that game. Dal Santo had 39, Hayes 31, Blake 31, Ray 26 of quality, Riewoldt 3 goals and 19, Goddard 37 and Gilbert 30. For the Dogs; Hargrave 31 and…. oh…. that’s it. The Dogs seemed to not try? Picken also did a good job on Joey Montagna. You would think the Saints would deserve and would probably win but you never know. There has been a lot of upsets and this could be another one. Both teams are just as desperate; The Dogs last Flag: 1956 and Saints 1966. Both have only won one flag. But al least one team will be battling it out in the big time.